There are many reasons I love this event, but one that immediately comes to mind is Pigasus Books, the most interesting seller I have found at any Ren Faire anywhere. Master James, who dresses at these events like a medieval scholar, has a great selection and a ready wit Warning: Philosophy ahead
I started out from Government Center in the Skyway, but after a short time realized that the weather outside was not bad at all (50oF/10oC and fair), so I went outside and walked southwest along 3rd Ave, around the far side of the Convention Center, then northeast on LaSalle for most of the return trip.
I stopped at the downtown Barnes & Noble before going back to the office. This had the useful result that I was able to look at a few books that had interested me when I read their listings at Amazon.com. A few minutes of browsing convinced me that they were not worth buying after all.
Lunch itself was a bag of raw vegetables at my desk. Fear not that I becoming overly virtuous: I had blue cheese dressing with them. Also, last night Mia made Chicago-style pizza for our dinner.
John Baez has posted a list of recommended free math and physics books available on the web. This is very helpful: There are a lot of free texts out there, but taken as a whole they only demonstrate Sturgeon’s revelation. You need some educated guidance to find the good stuff in a finite time.
See The Sneetches.
Just finished Fire and Sword: Sorley Boy Macdonnell and the Rise of Clan Ian Mor, 1538-90, by J. Michael Hill. Highly recommended. Continue reading
The larger problem with Harry is that monster retailers are using him as a loss-leader to bring people in the door, sometimes with a retail price so low it’s lower than the wholesale price offered to smaller booksellers.
I have been reading Confederate Catholics at War: 1641-49, by Pádraig Lenihan. It is about the Irish part of the British Civil Wars. Quite a number of interesting points. Continue reading
From Hilbert Space to Dilbert Space, and beyond 